Silver Jewellery Making: Wax Carved Rings

Explore the ancient art of wax carving to design, sculpt, size and finish a bespoke silver ring.

This is an introductory class, suitable for absolute beginners or anyone with some jewellery making experience but new to wax carving.

You will learn to carve, sculpt and refine a wax model ready to be cast into solid silver. Wax is a fantastic substance to explore shapes and form and how they relate to the body. It is a relative fast learning curve and most students succeed in making something they really love.

We will examine the properties of wax and explore the possibilities of form and texture. Your wax master will then be sent to a professional precious metals casting company.

We will be using hand tools only, including jewellers saws, files, carving tools and sandpaper. Students may also use heated electric tools to shape and texture the wax. Strict health and safety protocols will be adhered to.

At the end of the one-day workshop, your wax will be sent off to a professional jewellery caster to be cast into sterling silver, and professionally finished and polished ready for you to collect from Attenborough Arts Centre 2-3 weeks after the workshop.

Please note – the size/weight of your ring will be restricted as the cost of silver is so high at the moment. The tutor will advise re size as you design and make your ring wax master on the day.

About the tutor:

Tutor Loree Bologna, new to our Attenborough Arts tutor team, has worked as a designer goldsmith for over 40 years. She has a City and Guilds in teacher training and has been running workshops since 2002. Loree is currently a tutor at the Nottingham Jewellery School and runs 1-2-1 sessions in her own studio in Nottingham. Find out more about Loree and her beautiful jewellery at loreebologna.com

Further information:

This one-day workshop will start at 10.30am and finish at 4pm, and be repeated on two dates:

• Saturday 24 January 2026
• Monday 16 March 2026

Please ensure you book the correct date.

There will be a short break for lunch. Our café will be open or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments.

All materials and equipment will be provided.

Participants must be 16+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list – simply contact our box office team on 0116 252 2455 / arts-centre@le.ac.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans!

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you’d like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us.